Saidi predicts gains from joining IMF data system 'Part of good governance' - The Daily Star
Lebanon's membership in the International Monetary Fund's data system is expected to help boost good governance in the country, Lebanon's coordinator for the IMF program said Monday.
Last week, Nasser Saidi, vice-governor for the Central Bank and Lebanon's coordinator for the General Data Dissemination System (GDDS), had announced Lebanon's posting on the IMF's GDDS website starting Jan. 16. |
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The GDDS will bring Lebanon's statistical data in line with the standards of the IMF, which is eager to get proper statistics. "The GDDS system is part of good governance, making sure that information and data reach the public according to international standards," said Saidi.
The next step after joining the IMF website, is launching a link on the website of the Central Bank, where the system will be translated into Arabic and French. Lebanon's link to the IMF website is in preparation for setting up a statistics portal, www.lebstat.org, by June this year. "We hope to launch the port as soon as all concerned ministries provide us with their information," said Saidi.
Lebanon's membership in the GDDS has already earned it the approval of the IMF. "By selecting the GDDS as a framework to develop the country's national statistical systems, the authorities have underscored their commitment to improving the production of economic sociodemographic data. Therefore, enhancing both the quality and transparency of policy making," the director of statistics at the IMF said in a statement addressed to Saidi. "I trust that this will help increase international recognition of Lebanon's commitment to better statistics."
The lebstat website is expected to be regularly updated with statistics compiled from various ministries.
Beirut
04-02-2003
Dania Saadi
The Daily Star
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